The Minnesota Timberwolves are making a grave mistake trying to trade Ricky Rubio.
Ricky Rubio has been the centerpiece in almost every trade rumor associated with the Timberwolves since going back before Kris Dunn was selected fifth overall in last years draft. Also, with three point guards on the roster, it’s almost a given that at least Dunn, Tyus Jones, or most rumored Rubio will be dealt eventually.
But why are all the rumors circled around Rubio? Why should the Wolves trade their most impactful experienced player on the roster who perhaps has some of the best court vision in the league? I think if the front office would hit pause for one moment they would see that giving up on the veteran may not be the best move.
When taking about a player of Rubio’s caliber you must look beyond what he does in the box score. He may not have a single minute of playoff basketball under his belt, however, Rubio has the veteran experience and leadership teams need at the point to be successful. He has been there through the organizations toughest years and can now finally win in their brightest years with the roster that has been built around him. Being a pass-first point guard on this roster will only benefit the team more, as well as himself personally. Now that he has athletes on his team like Towns, Wiggins, and LaVine, the scoring possibilities are endless.
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It is understandable to want to give up on the man taken just before Stephen Curry by now. His shot never really developed as hoped and he does not posses what we call “lightning speed,” however, Rubio was indeed a different player after last years deadline.
I would just like to share some numbers that Derek Bodner of The Ringer pointed out on March 16. Through February 14, Rubio was averaging just under nine points per game. After that date, Rubio went off for 14.8 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, along with 10.7 assists and 2 steals per game. Bodner also pointed out that he finished the final season stretch shooting 45.8 percent from the field, which was up from his prior percentage of 38.9.
His overall stats from last season were better than his career stats. He scored more, shot more efficiently, dished the ball even more than usual….so why trade that away?Ricky Rubio is a proven talent on the roster that may just carry his late-season surge into next season.
I understand that there was a lot invested in Kris Dunn and he is seen as the future point guard, however, after his disappointing first year, it is clear he cannot jump right in.
Tyus Jones is a nice player to have to either come off the bench or to use as a trade piece if need be. He is not the future starting guard but could be an impact player off the bench once he develops more if he stays.
That should leave the Wolves to ride with Ricky. They don’t need much on the team except for some defense and more shooting, and dealing Rubio would mean losing an intelligent defender as well as a hot shooter at the moment. Not to mention there is not much out there to shop for on the trade block. It is pointless to trade up in my eyes because of the lack of immediate impact talent in the draft, as well as the influx of young players on the roster already.
With so many young players on the team already, including the other two point guards, I don’t see how dealing Rubio would benefit the Wolves. Realistically who or what would the Wolves get in return? There is not much on the market to go after without having to give up more than Rubio, not to mention again the fact that trading up is not a sure-fire thing with the lack of immediate impact players in the draft.
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The point is, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Rubio is not broken, just a little fragile. If anything, the end of last season may show what is still to come from the 26-year-old veteran.